Despite major ASU football departures, Todd Graham’s expectations still high

In just over three weeks, Arizona State will start spring practice, a team down nine defensive starters and two significant offensive playmakers.

Approaching his third season, coach Todd Graham has heard all about ASU’s key departures, which include two-time Pac-12 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year Will Sutton, Devil-backer Carl Bradford, running back Marion Grice, left tackle Evan Finkenberg, tight end Chris Coyle and safety Alden Darby.

Graham’s opinion:

“We laid a great foundation here,’’ he said. “ Did we lose some quality people? Of course we did. Would I like to have Marion Grice back? Of course. But there’s too much focus on all that, man. Put the torch out. Put the picture up on the wall. I’m proud of those guys and what they were able to do. Pac-12 South champions; that was an accomplishment. But those guys that left here know how gut-wrenching it was that we didn’t finish. So our motto this year is ‘Unfinished business.’ And that unfinished business is winning the Pac-12 championship.”

Graham this week met with beat reporters to discuss the program and spring practice. The coach had recently returned from vacation, so he was energized to say the least. Over 90 minutes, he touched on several topics, including personnel, but one thing he wanted to make clear: Just because ASU lost several key starters, expectations shouldn’t change.

“If we don’t win 11 games, it don’t matter what I say!” Graham said. “If we don’t win a conference championship, it don’t matter what I say! That’s what I want the fans to expect. Period. That’s what I expect.”

Highlights of the conversation:

The NCAA Football Rules Committee has proposed a rule that would forbid offenses from snapping the ball until at least 10 seconds have elapsed from the 40-second play clock, giving defenses time to make substitutions. Doing so would be a 5-yard penalty. Proponents say the rule — which would slow quick-snap offenses — is needed for player safety, but Graham doesn’t see it that way.

“Obviously, there’s no data or anything,’’ he said of the safety aspect. “I’m a defensive guy, so if anybody should be against that, I should be against it, but I think it’s ridiculous. I hope they do the right thing. I think we should respect the game. The targeting deal? You know how I felt about that. That’s a safety issue. I do not think that the 10-second rule has anything to do with safety. I think it has everything to do with strategy.”

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel is scheduled to review the proposal March 6. If approved, it would go in effect next season.

With Grice, ASU last season rushed for 191.4 yards a game, sixth in the Pac-12. Graham thinks this season the Sun Devils should be better because of their offensive line. ASU lost Finkenberg, a four-year starter at left tackle, and center Kody Koebensky but returns three starters. Junior guard Christian Westerman, an Auburn transfer, also is eligible after sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer rules. He’s almost guaranteed to start up front. Graham also likes the progress of sophomore tackle Evan Goodman, a former four-star recruit who redshirted last season.

Graham said several players in his latest recruiting class — rated in the Top 25 nationally — have a chance to contribute this season. For the second consecutive year, ASU landed one of the nation’s top junior-college receivers in Eric Lauderdale. With junior Jaelen Strong’s success last season, Graham said ASU should be able to sign the nation’s top JUCO receiver every season. That said, ASU still has improvement to make in recruiting.

“We know we got to win the Valley, the state, Southern California and California,’’ Graham said. “Notice the order that I said that. When do I want to knock it out of the park with local recruiting? Last year. I’m not going to be satisfied until we get there.”

Player notes: ASU used three punters last season (four counting quarterback Taylor Kelly). In hindsight, Graham said he wishes he would’ve just stuck with freshman Matt Haack. … ASU coaches love Mo Latu’s potential, but the junior defensive tackle weighs 385 pounds. Graham wants him around 330. … Redshirt freshman safety Marcus Ball, sophomore tight end Kody Kohl and senior running back Kyle Middlebrooks will be limited in spring practice because of various injuries.

Someone Graham expects to make a significant leap: redshirt freshman Chans Cox. “This guy is going to be a great defensive end/Devil-backer for us,’’ he said. “Is he Carl Bradford? No, he’s not. He’s a different style, so we’ll adapt to that style.”

Contact Doug Haller at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4949. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.

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